Where do gases in the gut come from?

Why do gases form in the intestine? Practically every person has it. When swallowed, they enter the stomach. Gases in the intestine - this is the result of the vital activity of microorganisms in it.

If the body is normal, the gases are excreted by belching, a small amount is absorbed into the bloodstream, the rest are discharged through the rectum. People sometimes believe that it is they who have excessively collected gases in the intestines. However, often with this pathology most of them are absent.

Gases in the intestine of a healthy person can reach 1.5 liters in volume and stand out up to 15 times a day. Their composition is basically this:

• oxygen,
• nitrogen,
• carbon dioxide,
• Hydrogen, methane (in a small amount).

The above gases do not have a smell. Appearance of an unpleasant smell is promoted by substances containing sulfur. They are produced by bacteria in the large intestine . If the mechanism of removing the gases is violated or their formation is increased, then unpleasant symptoms appear. Knowing the causes of bloating, a person can determine the optimal way out of the state of discomfort.

Reason for formation

There are two main reasons. It is the air that a person swallows, and the product of the vital activity of the microflora. The main cause of bloating is aerophagia (ingestion of the air). Using food and liquids, we all swallow a small amount of air. More significant air volumes enter the stomach during smoking, hasty eating and the use of certain drinks.

Most of the gases come out with eructations, and the remaining ones enter the small intestine. There, some part is absorbed into the bloodstream, and the rest are released to the outside, getting previously into the large intestine. In excess, the gases in the intestine arise from the use of carbonated drinks. In these cases, carbon dioxide leaves with a belch, almost not reaching the colon.

Gastric gases are practically odorless and consist of carbon dioxide, nitrogen and oxygen.

An unpleasant smell of eructation can indicate pathologies. In some cases, it can be serious violations, but it should appear to a specialist in any case.

Intestinal gases

It should be noted that there are some substances to which a person is not adapted to digestion. These are so-called complex carbohydrates, including some simple sugars. Of such substances, the basis of stool is composed. They pass through the gastrointestinal tract. Then a certain part of them gets into the large intestine, where they are attacked by microorganisms. Gases are formed by microbes as a result of digestion of this nutrient substrate for them.

Proteins and fats, falling into the large intestine, are also broken down by its microflora. In the intestine, the formation of carbon dioxide and hydrogen mainly occurs. Methane occurs in about one-third of people, which does not affect the frequency of release of gases and their quantity. Some other manifestations are also absent. The reasons why methane is formed only in a part of people, were not established.

Gases from the intestine are excreted through the rectum. Only a small number of them are absorbed into the bloodstream.

Gases in the intestines - symptoms

The following main symptoms speak of excessive gas formation:

• Colic in the abdomen.
• Belching.
• Rumbling.
• Increased separation of gases.

Nevertheless, even excessive gas formation causes such signs not always and not at all. This depends on the volume of accumulating gases and the amount of fatty acids absorbed from the intestine. With frequent, clearly expressed, swelling there is a suspicion of pathology. In this case, there is a need to consult a specialist.

The discomfort arising from excessive gas formation is eliminated by the correction of nutrition and drug therapy.